Inductive power transmitter

ABSTRACT

An inductive power transmitter comprising a transmission circuit having a coil, the transmission circuit tuned, adapted or optimised at or about a first frequency for inductive power transfer or object detection; an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit at the first frequency; and a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the transmission circuit at a second higher frequency, and to modulate a signal at the second higher frequency according to a predetermined handshake signal in order to generate a response from a predetermined non-authorised device proximate the coil.

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.16/141,869, filed on Sep. 25, 2018, which is a continuation applicationof No. PCT/NZ2017/050038, filed on Apr. 4, 2017, which claims thebenefit of provisional patent application No. 62/475,813, filed on Mar.23, 2017, and of provisional patent application No. 62/355,823, filed onJun. 28, 2016, and of provisional patent application No. 62/318,133,filed on Apr. 4, 2016, all of which hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to an inductive power transmitter,particularly, but not exclusively, for an inductive power transfersystem.

BACKGROUND

IPT systems are a well-known area of established technology (forexample, wireless charging of electric toothbrushes) and developingtechnology (for example, wireless charging of handheld devices on a‘charging mat’). Typically, a power transmitter generates a time-varyingmagnetic field from a transmitting coil or coils. This magnetic fieldinduces an alternating current in a suitable receiving coil in a powerreceiver that can then be used to charge a battery, or power a device orother load.

Regarding IPT systems for wireless charging of handheld devices inparticular it is important that the wireless power is transferred to thereceiver device only and not to so-called foreign objects, which can bedefined as any object that is positioned on the charging mat (e.g.,interface surface), but is not part of a receiver device. Typicalexamples of such foreign objects are parasitic elements containingmetals such as coins, keys, paperclips, etc. For example if a parasiticmetal is close to the active IPT area it could heat up during powertransfer due to eddy currents that result from the oscillating magneticfield. In order to prevent the temperature of such parasitic metal fromrising to unacceptable levels, the power transmitter should be able todiscriminate between power receivers and foreign objects and timelyabort the power transfer.

A conventional manner of detecting heating of foreign objects on aninterface surface uses a power loss method. In this method the receivedpower P_(PR) is used to indicate the total amount of power that isdissipated within the power receiver contained in the handheld devicedue to the magnetic field produced by the power transmitter. Thereceived power equals the power that is available from the output of thepower receiver plus any power that is lost in producing that outputpower. The power receiver communicates its P_(PR) to the powertransmitter so that the power transmitter can determine whether thepower loss is within acceptable set limits, and if not, the powertransmitter determines anomalous behaviour which may indicate presenceof a foreign object and aborts power transmission. However, this powerloss accounting method does not in itself provide actual detection of aforeign object, only the occurrence of non-expected behaviour.

International patent publication number WO2014/095722, by contrast,proposes a method of foreign object detection which uses excitation anddetection coils within the transmitter, separate from the primary IPTtransmitter coil(s). In that case either changes in the output voltagein the detection winding, or changes in the inductance of the detectionwinding are used to determine possible presence of an object. Howeverthis system requires a complex calibration to determine the baseinductance. It is also insensitive to metal objects versus ferrous ormagnetic objects, and therefore does not provide a means to discriminatebetween foreign objects and friendly objects, e.g., a receiver device.Any undesirable effects of operation of the primary IPT field on thedetection is also not considered or characterised, such that theproposed method may be unreliable.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved inductive powertransmitter or provide the public with a useful choice.

According to one example embodiment there is provided an inductive powertransmitter comprising:

-   -   a transmission circuit having a coil, the transmission circuit        tuned, adapted or optimised at or about a first frequency for        inductive power transfer or object detection;    -   an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit at the        first frequency; and    -   a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the        transmission circuit at a second higher frequency, and to        modulate a signal at the second higher frequency according to a        predetermined handshake signal in order to generate a response        from a predetermined non-authorised device proximate the coil.

According to a second example embodiment there is provided an inductivepower transmitter comprising:

-   -   a transmission circuit having a coil;    -   an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit; and    -   a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the        transmission circuit at a first handshake frequency, and to        modulate a signal at the first handshake frequency according to        a predetermined handshake signal in order to generate a response        from a predetermined non-authorised devices proximate the coil,    -   wherein the predetermined non-authorised device has a specified        handshake signal having a carrier frequency higher than the        first handshake frequency, and    -   wherein the predetermined handshake signal includes a sequential        series of polling commands and the specified handshake signal        includes a sequential series of polling commands, and the number        of cycles of each predetermined handshake signal polling command        is the same as the number of cycles of each respective specified        handshake signal polling command.

According to a third example embodiment there is provided an inductivepower receiver comprising:

-   -   a receiver circuit having a coil;    -   an non-authorised resonant device; and    -   a controller arranged to detect a disable signal in the coil        sent by an inductive power transmitter, to disable the        non-authorised resonant device depending on the disable signal,        and to modulate a signal in the coil to instruct the transmitter        to begin power transfer.

According to a forth example embodiment there is provided an inductivepower transmitter comprising:

-   -   a transmitter circuit having a coil;    -   an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit; and    -   a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the        transmission circuit at a first ping frequency, and to modulate        a signal at the first ping frequency according a disable signal        to disable a non-authorised resonant device in an authorised        receiver, and to detect a start-up signal in the coil to begin        power transfer to the authorised receiver.

According to a fifth example embodiment there is provided an inductivepower transmitter comprising:

-   -   at least one multi purpose coil; and    -   an object detection system configured to detect objects in or        adjacent to the IPT field;    -   wherein the object detection system energises the multi purpose        coil to send a handshake signal configured to generate a        response from a predetermined non-authorized object, and detects        a non-authorized object based on receiving a valid response.

According to a sixth example embodiment there is provided an objectdetection system for an inductive power transmitter, the objectdetection system comprising:

-   -   memory arranged to store predetermined signatures associated        with an authorized inductive power receiver and/or a        non-authorized object;    -   the object detection system arranged to indicate a        non-authorized objects in response to:        -   detecting one or more of the predetermined signatures            associated with the non-authorized objects;        -   and/or detecting a signature which does not correspond to            the predetermined signatures associated with an authorized            receiver.

According to a seventh example embodiment there is provided an inductivepower transmitter comprising:

-   -   at least one power transmitting coil configured to generate an        inductive power transfer (IPT) field; and    -   an object detection system configured to detect objects in or        adjacent to the IPT field;    -   wherein the object detection system is configured to detect a        non approved resonant device.

According to a eighth example embodiment there is provided an objectdetection system for an inductive power transmitter, the objectdetection system comprising:

-   -   a coil and circuitry arranged to determine reflected impedances        at a plurality of frequencies;    -   memory arranged to store predetermined frequencies associated        with an authorized inductive power receiver and/or predetermined        frequencies associated with a non-authorized receiver; and    -   the object detection system arranged to indicate a        non-authorized receiver in response to:        -   detecting a predetermined increase or decrease in reflected            impedance at the predetermined frequency associated with the            non-authorized receiver;        -   and/or detecting a predetermined increase in reflected            impedance at a frequency which is not associated with the            authorized inductive power receiver.

According to a ninth example embodiment there is provided a method ofoperating an object detection system for an inductive power transmitter,the object detection system comprising a coil and circuitry, the methodcomprising:

-   -   driving the coil at a first power level and determining a first        reflected impedance;    -   driving the coil at a second higher power level and determining        a second reflected impedance;        -   wherein the second power level but not the first power level            is sufficient to start operation of a predetermined            non-authorised receiver;        -   detecting a non-authorised receiver in response to determine            a predetermined difference between the first and second            reflected impendences.

According to a tenth example embodiment there is provided a method ofoperating an object detection system for an inductive power transmitter,the method comprising:

-   -   determining reflected impedances at a plurality of frequencies;    -   indicating a non-authorized receiver in response to:    -   detecting a predetermined increase or decrease in reflected        impedance at a predetermined frequency associated with a        non-authorized receiver;    -   and/or detecting a predetermined increase in reflected impedance        at a frequency which is not associated with an authorized        inductive power receiver.

According to a eleventh example embodiment there is provided a inductivepower transmitter comprising:

-   -   a transmission circuit having a coil, the transmission circuit        tuned to a first frequency for inductive power transfer or        object detection;    -   an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit at the        first frequency;    -   a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the        transmission circuit at a second higher frequency, and to        modulate the second higher frequency according to a        predetermined handshake signal in order to generate a response        from a predetermined non-authorised devices proximate the coil.

According to an twelfth example embodiment there is provided a method ofoperating an inductive power transmitter comprising a transmissioncircuit including a coil and tuned to a first frequency, and an inverteroperable to drive the transmission circuit at the first frequency; themethod comprising:

-   -   driving the transmission circuit at a second higher frequency in        order to detect any predetermined non-authorised devices        proximate the coil;    -   modulating the second higher frequency according to a        predetermined handshake signal recognisable by the        non-authorised devices; and    -   indicating the presence of the non-authorised device in response        to detecting a predetermined response.

According to a thirteenth example embodiment there is provided aninductive power transmitter comprising:

-   -   a transmission circuit having a coil;    -   an inverter operable to drive the transmission circuit;    -   a controller arranged to control the inverter to drive the        transmission circuit at a first handshake frequency, and to        modulate a signal at the first handshake frequency according to        a predetermined handshake signal in order to generate a response        from a predetermined non-authorised devices proximate the coil,    -   wherein the predetermined non-authorised device has a specified        handshake signal having a carrier frequency higher than the        first handshake frequency, and    -   wherein the predetermined handshake signal includes a sequential        series of modulation states and the specified handshake signal        includes a sequential series of modulation states, and the        number of cycles of each predetermined handshake signal series        of modulation states is the same as the number of cycles of each        respective specified handshake signal series of modulation        states.

It is acknowledged that the terms “comprise”, “comprises” and“comprising” may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with eitheran exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of thisspecification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended tohave an inclusive meaning—i.e., they will be taken to mean an inclusionof the listed components which the use directly references, and possiblyalso of other non-specified components or elements.

Reference to any document in this specification does not constitute anadmission that it is prior art or that it forms part of the commongeneral knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inductive power transfer system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an object detection system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a double OD coil;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a single OD coil;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another double OD coil;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a transmission coil layout;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the OD and IPT coils interleavedaround the ferrites;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of a PCB based OD coil;

FIG. 9 is a simulation of the flux lines generated by the excitationcoil using the IPT ferrites;

FIG. 10A is a flow diagram of the detection algorithm;

FIG. 10B is a flow diagram of another detection algorithm;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an excitation coil driver;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the excitation coil driver;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a detector;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of the multiplexer;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the mixer;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a graph of the impedance of various resonant devices;

FIGS. 18A&B are graphs of the real power of various resonant devices;

FIG. 19a is a flow diagram of a signature method of detecting nonauthorized resonant devices such as RFID/NFC tags;

FIG. 19b is a graph of the polling commands at different carrierfrequencies;

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of a transmitter with a polling request at1 MHz;

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a method of sending polling commands todetect non authorized resonant devices such as RFID/NFC tags;

FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram of a transmitter with a with a pollingrequest at 13.56 MHz;

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a method of sending signals from atransmitter to disable NFC emulation in a valid receiver; and

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of a method of receiving signals from atransmitter to disable NFC emulation in a valid receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An inductive power transfer (IPT) system 1 is shown generally in FIG. 1.The IPT system includes an inductive power transmitter 2 and aninductive power receiver 3. The inductive power transmitter 2 isconnected to an appropriate power supply 4 (such as mains power or abattery). The inductive power transmitter 2 may include transmittercircuitry having one or more of a converter 5, e.g., an AC-DC converter(depending on the type of power supply used) and an inverter 6, e.g.,connected to the converter 5 (if present). The inverter 6 supplies atransmitting coil or coils 7 with an AC signal so that the transmittingcoil or coils 7 generate an alternating magnetic field. In someconfigurations, the transmitting coil(s) 7 may also be considered to beseparate from the inverter 5. The transmitting coil or coils 7 may beconnected to capacitors (not shown) either in parallel or series tocreate a resonant circuit.

A controller 8 may be connected to each part of the inductive powertransmitter 2. The controller 8 receives inputs from each part of theinductive power transmitter 2 and produces outputs that control theoperation of each part. The controller 8 may be implemented as a singleunit or separate units, configured to control various aspects of theinductive power transmitter 2 depending on its capabilities, includingfor example: power flow, tuning, selectively energising transmittingcoils, inductive power receiver detection and/or communications. Thecontroller 8 may internally include memory for storing measured andcalculated data or may be connected to external memory for such purpose.

The inductive power receiver 3 includes a receiving coil or coils 9connected to receiver circuitry which may include power conditioningcircuitry 10 that in turn supplies power to a load 11. When the coils ofthe inductive power transmitter 2 and the inductive power receiver 3 aresuitably coupled, the alternating magnetic field generated by thetransmitting coil or coils 7 induces an alternating current in thereceiving coil or coils 9. The power conditioning circuitry 10 isconfigured to convert the induced current into a form that isappropriate for the load 11, and may include for example a powerrectifier, a power regulation circuit, or a combination of both. Thereceiving coil or coils 9 may be connected to capacitors (not shown)either in parallel or series to create a resonant circuit. In someinductive power receivers, the receiver may include a controller 12which may control tuning of the receiving coil or coils 9, operation ofthe power conditioning circuitry 10 and/or communications.

The term “coil” may include an electrically conductive structure wherean electrical current generates a magnetic field. For example inductive“coils” may be electrically conductive wire in three dimensional shapesor two dimensional planar shapes, electrically conductive materialfabricated using printed circuit board (PCB) techniques into threedimensional shapes over plural PCB ‘layers’, and other coil-like shapes.The use of the term “coil”, in either singular or plural, is not meantto be restrictive in this sense. Other configurations may be useddepending on the application.

An example transmitter 2 is shown in FIG. 2. The inverter 6 suppliespower to the transmitting coil 7 to generate an IPT field. An objectdetection (OD) circuit 200 includes an excitation coil or coils 202 togenerate a detection (OD) field separate from the IPT field and adetection coil or coils 204 used to sense the presence and/or locationof objects on or adjacent to the transmitter 2. The controller 8 of thetransmitter 2 may either directly or via a separate control circuit beconfigured to determine the excitation to be provided to the excitationcoil 202 and process the output signal from the detection coil 204.

This may involve a single excitation coil and an array of detectioncoils, an array of excitation coils and a single detection coil, anarray of excitation coils and an array of detection coils, using asingle coil for both excitation and detection, and/or using the IPTcoil(s) as the excitation coil(s) (and either using the IPT frequency ormodulating an excitation signal onto the IPT field) depending on therequirements of the application.

In an embodiment the detection technique may be considered a form ofmagnetic vision system, which works by transmission of an excitationsignal to a power receiver (or other conducting object in the detectionfield) which is then scattered back to an array of sensors which aremonitored either continuously or periodically. The strength and delay ofthe backscatter of the excitation signal is measured and may beseparately analysed at each location across the array. This can then beused to detect objects (both friendly and foreign) and track theposition and/or movement of such objects, such as multiple receivers, inthe IPT field or on the transmitter surface. It may also be able todetect foreign objects which are overlapping with the friendly objects,such as the receiving coil(s) of a power receiver.

The detection array is structured such that its resolution is sufficientfor significant foreign objects to be sensed or “seen” and located, withsufficient aperture to be able to identify the presence and location ofone or more phones or perhaps a tablet or a portable PC or otherportable rechargeable equipment.

One or more embodiments may rely on directly or indirectly determiningthe transfer of energy (either to an object or between the excitationcoil and the detector coil) rather than a reflection. In other words thecoupling coefficient between the excitation coil, the object and/or thedetector coil is used to determine the nature and/or location of theobject e.g.: foreign (or friendly).

Decoupling from the IPT Field

The OD field is used for detection of objects whereas the IPT filed isused to wirelessly transfer meaningful levels of power betweenelectronic devices. Accordingly, the power of the IPT field is severalorders of magnitude higher than the OD field, such that in order toeffectively operate the object detection apparatus during power transferit may be desirable to substantially decouple the OD field from the IPTfield. A number of ways of achieving such decoupling are now described.In this way, any undesirable effects of operation of the IPT field onthe detection are minimised, thereby making the detection method of thepresent invention more reliable and robust.

The OD field can be a produced so as to have a significantly higher orlower frequency than that used for the IPT field. This may allowfrequency isolation from the IPT field as well as increasing thesensitivity of physically small objects, such as coinage, due to thepossibility of resonance being set up in the object. For a commonapplication of IPT, where the IPT field has an operating frequency isabout 110 kHz to about 205 kHz, a OD field frequency that is higher inthe MHz region, such as about 1 MHz or that is lower in the kHz region,such as about 5 kHz may be used. Such frequencies may also provideenhanced sensitivity for certain types of foreign objects. In this waythe OD field is frequency decoupled from the IPT field.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the driving of the OD field is configuredso that one OD field frequency is used for object detection where thisfrequency is lower or higher than the IPT field frequency, e.g., about 5kHz or about 1 MHz. In an alternative embodiment driving of the OD fieldis configured so that a range of OD field frequencies are used, usingso-called frequency “hopping” or “sweeping”. Several differentfrequencies may be used about the exemplary levels already described atwhich measurements for object detection are made. For example, for ODfield frequencies higher than the IPT field frequency measurements maybe taken at each of about 800 kHz, about 1 MHz and about 1.2 MHz, andfor OD field frequencies lower than the IPT field frequency measurementsmay be taken at each of about 1 kHz, about 5 kHz and about 10 kHz. Thisfrequency hopping advantageously provides the ability to increasediscrimination between foreign and friendly objects. For example, forpower receivers having the receiver coil(s) as part of a resonantcircuit and non-resonant objects, e.g., metal or ferrite, may providesimilar response to the OD field at a particular OD field frequency.This may occur due to the selected OD field frequency being a harmonicof the IPT field frequency, for example. However, such resonantreceivers will provide a different response at different OD fieldfrequencies whilst the response of non-resonant objects is substantiallyindependent of frequency.

The excitation coil(s) 202 and/or the detection coil(s) 204(collectively referred to as OD coils) may be arranged to approximatelyencompass a positive IPT flux and an equivalent negative IPT flux. Inthis way the OD field is substantially magnetically decoupled from theIPT field. This may be achieved in a number of ways. For examplecounter-wound (i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise) OD coils may beused in symmetrical locations within the or each IPT transmitter coil(i.e., encompassed within the dimensions or ‘footprint’ of onetransmitting coil above or below that coil with respect to thehorizontal plane of that coil) with equal flux in each counter-wound ODcoil. In a further example portions of each OD coil may be inside andoutside of the IPT transmitter coil. In a still further examplecounter-wound OD coils may be used in asymmetrical portions of the IPTfield produced by one or more transmitter coils with different numbersof turns (i.e., in a clockwise wound portion vs. a counter clockwisewound portion).

FIG. 3 shows an example of a double excitation/detection coil 300. Thecoil 300 has a clockwise wound portion 302 and a counter clockwiseportion 304. The coil 300 is located wholly within one IPT transmittercoil 7 with the clockwise and counter-clockwise portions 302,304positioned on either side of a line of symmetry 306 through thetransmitter coil 7 so that equal amounts of IPT flux passes through eachportion 302,304. In this example embodiment, the oppositely-woundportions 302,304 may be formed as separate windings that are coupled toone another in a manner understood by those skilled in the art or as asingle winding wound in a (substantially symmetrical) “FIG. 8”configuration.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a single excitation/detection coil 400. Thecoil 400 has an outside (first) portion 402 and an inside (second)portion 404, with respect to one IPT transmitter coil 7. That is, coil400 is arranged to overlap the transmitter coil 7 so that the outsideportion 402 is arranged exterior to the IPT transmitter coil 7 whereasthe inside portion 404 is arranged interior of the IPT transmitter coil7, such that with equal amounts of (opposite) IPT flux passes througheach portion 402,404.

FIG. 5 shows an example of another double excitation/detection coil 500.The coil 500 has a clockwise wound portion 502 and a counter clockwiseportion 504. The coil 500 is located wholly within one IPT transmittercoil 7 with the clockwise and counter-clockwise portions 502,504positioned on either side of a line of asymmetry 506 through thetransmitter coil 7 so that different amounts IPT flux passes througheach portion 502,504. In this example, the IPT flux through theoppositely-wound portions 502,504 may be balanced by using an imbalancednumber of turns in each portion 502,504 calculated to substantiallycompensate for the IPT flux imbalance or an imbalanced impedance byconfiguring the relative size (e.g., thickness, diameter, etc.) orconductivity (e.g., by using different conductive materials) of the coilportion windings 502,504 calculated to substantially compensate for theIPT flux imbalance. Like the example of FIG. 3, the oppositely-woundportions 502,504 may be formed as separate windings that are coupled toone another or as a single winding wound in a (substantiallyasymmetrical or skewed) “FIG. 8” configuration.

Other forms of decoupling may be used depending on the application. Itis noted that in embodiments where one or more excitation coils separatefrom the transmitter coil(s) are used for generating the detectionfield, it is the excitation coils that are wound in the flux-cancellingmanner described above, whereas in embodiments where one or moretransmitter coils are used for generating the detection field, it is thedetection coils that are wound in the flux-cancelling manner describedabove in order to provide decoupling from an IPT filed being generatedfrom other transmitter coils in a transmitter coil array, for example.

Layout of Excitation and Detection Coils

In order to increase the sensitivity and/or decrease the manufacturingcosts, several features in the OD coils may be provided.

An example of an array of the transmitting coils is shown in FIG. 6.Each transmitting or IPT coil 602 is provided around a number ofsystematically arranged IPT ferrite elements (cores) 604. The IPT coils602 are arranged in a rectangular array structure and may be linear(2D), overlapping (as in FIG. 6) or 3 dimensionally (3D) arranged. Thecoil and array itself may be arranged to have a different geometrical orarbitrary shape. The (array of) ferrite cores are used to enhance theIPT field generated by the IPT coils 602 in a manner understood by thoseskilled in the art and may be arranged and dimensioned relative to thetransmitter coil array as described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/070,042 entitled System and Method for Power Transferand filed Aug. 12, 2014, the entire contents of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference, so that the upper surface (relative tothe z-axis of the IPT system which is orthogonal to the plane of thetransmitter coils; along which the so-called “z-height” is defined asthe distance between the transmitting and receiving coils of the IPTsystem) of each ferrite element protrudes from the IPT coils 602 or maybe configured so that the upper surface of the ferrite elements areco-planar with, or beneath, the upmost plane of the transmitting coilssurface. The ferrite elements may have a substantially flat or roundedupper surface. As described below, if such ferrite elements are presentfor the IPT array, they may also be advantageously used for thedetection field.

FIG. 7 shows the array of IPT coils 602 of FIG. 6 interleaved with anarray of detection coils 702 in an example configuration. Each IPT coil602 encompasses four of the ferrite cores 604. Each of the detectioncoils 702 is arranged above the upper surface of one of the ferritecores 604 (i.e., in a plane which is parallel to, but elevated from, theplane of the upper surface of the ferrite element) so that the singleferrite core is surrounded by or enclosed within the respectivedetection coil, as seen in the aspect of FIG. 7. By this arrangement,the ferrite material of the core 604 allows the detection coil 702 to bemore sensitive through enhancement of the OD field, similar to theeffects in the IPT field. However, since the ferrite cores 604concentrate the magnetic flux of the IPT field at the positions of thecores, the IPT flux in the spaces between the cores is correspondinglyless dense. Accordingly, some areas may form IPT field nulls 704 withlow, but non-zero, IPT flux. Similarly the sensitivity of the detectioncoils 702 also degrades between the ferrite cores 604. Thus thealignment of the IPT field nulls 704 and the lower sensitivity OD fieldregions may be desirable, as any foreign object present wholly at thesepoints will similarly not be receiving IPT flux thereby reducing therisk of heating.

The excitation coil 202 may similarly be interleaved with thetransmitting coils 7, and the ferrite elements 604 may be used toincrease the OD field strength produced by the excitation coil arraydepending on the application requirements.

FIG. 8 shows the OD coil array constructed as a printed circuit board(PCB). A base layer 802 of a PCB 804 may have the array of transmittingcoils and ferrite elements. The PCB 804 may include a substrate layer806, with two copper trace layers 808 and 801 on either side. Theunderside trace 808 (facing the base layer 802) may include theexcitation coils 202. The upper trace 810 may include the detectioncoils 204. In this way the size of the OD coil array can be minimised.

FIG. 9 shows an example field distribution 900, for the underside trace808 in FIG. 8 where the excitation coils are arranged to surround eachferrite element 604 (in the manner discussed earlier with respect to thedetection coils). The detection and/or excitation coils use the ferritestructure of the IPT transmitter coil array as described above and thefield lines concentrate at the poles 902 of each ferrite element 604. Inthis embodiment, the ferrite elements 604 (and therefore the PCB 804) isprovided on a base or substrate (back-plate) 904 also of ferrite. Thebase plate 904 therefore acts as shield for the undersides (with respectto the dimensional planes described earlier) of the IPT and OD coilarrays so that any metal objects underneath the coil arrays are notheated or erroneously detected. In this way, the OD circuit 200 isdirectional.

In this embodiment, the ferrite elements may be separate elementsapplied to the ferrite back-plate or integral with the back-platethrough suitable manufacture. The OD coils may alternatively incorporateseparate ferrite elements/cores to increase sensitivity of detectiondepending on the application, e.g., where the IPT coils array does notemploy such elements.

Detection HW and Algorithm

As mentioned above the controller 8 of the transmitter 2 is directly orindirectly provided with the voltage from each detection coil andextracts the amplitude and phase against each location over time. Forthis purpose, the controller 8 may include an excitation coil driver anda detector circuit.

As discussed earlier, a means to discriminate between foreign objectsand friendly objects, e.g., power receivers, is required. One methodthat may be used to discriminate the kind of object present, ismeasurement of the coupling factor between the excitation coils and theobject above the transmission pad which is influencing the excitation(OD) field. The Applicant found that objects comprising mostly metaltend to suppress the coupling (lower voltage amplitude output) with theOD field, whereas objects having a relatively significant amount offerrite tend to enhance the coupling (higher voltage amplitude output),and that resonant structures, such as power receivers having resonantpick-up or secondary circuits, tend to induce a phase shift in thebackscatter signal. Thus, it is possible to distinguish ‘friendly’objects, such as the ferrite shielding of an inductive pickup coil, from‘foreign’ objects, such as coins, if these characteristics in the ODfield behaviour are suitably determined.

FIG. 10A shows an example algorithm 1000 for detecting objects. Thecontroller 8 determines at step 1002 the voltage magnitude and phase ateach location in the OD array. If at any location the phase has changed(step 1004), this location is updated at step 1006 to indicate that apower receiver is present. If the phase has not changed but themagnitude has increased (step 1008), this location is updated at step1010 to indicate that a magnetic material is present. If the magnitudehas not increased but has decreased (step 1012), this location isupdated at step 1014 to indicate that a metal material is present. Thedetermination continues (step 1016) for each location in the OD arrayand is then repeated either continuously, periodically or on theoccurrence of a predefined event or events.

The algorithm 1000 of FIG. 10A illustrates an example where thedetection of receivers and foreign objects is relatively simply providedby determining the relative magnitude and phase changes. Whilst thesechanges are present in many various scenarios, the amount of change maybe difficult to distinguish from environmental and/or circuitryelectronic noise. The changes may also be indistinguishable in scenarioswhere both a receiver and a foreign object are present. FIG. 10B showsanother example algorithm 1050 for additionally facilitating detectionof objects in such situations.

The algorithm 1050 recognises that there may be some variation in themeasurements at ambient (i.e., no objects present) conditions acrosscertain groups of the detection coils 702 and uses these groups toprovide a measure of the standard deviation. The Applicant has foundthat these groups comprise neighbouring detection coils and aregenerally representative of the general topology of the coil array withthe variations being due to manufacturing processes and tolerances. Forexample, the array may represent a polygon having more than four edgeswhere sub-polygons having four or less edges defined therein provide thedifferent detection coil groups, e.g., if the array is ‘cross-shaped’(12-edged polygon), three four-edged polygons could be defined therein,such that three detection coil groups are defined in which the coilswithin each group have substantially consistent characteristics with theother coils in that group but may have different characteristics fromthe coils of the other groups. This grouping of coils allows differencesin (magnitude and/or phase) measurements across the coils within thosegroups to be made with reasonable certainty in the accuracy of themeasurements, thereby providing reliable detection of objects.

Accordingly in FIG. 10B, the controller 8 determines at step 1052 thestandard deviation of the polar magnitude represented by the voltagemagnitude and phase within each group of the OD array in a mannerunderstood by those skilled in the art. If the standard deviation iswithin normal parameters, the controller 8 continues sampling the ODarray either continuously, periodically or at defined events, aspreviously described. However, if within any group the standarddeviation is more than a certain threshold amount (e.g., predeterminedbased on the known manufacturing tolerances) it is determined that oneor more objects are in proximity of the charging surface (step 1054).Controller 8 then calculates a ratio of the current (i.e., t(n))measurement of the polar magnitude and the (immediately) previous (i.e.,t(n−1)) measurement of the polar magnitude as in Equation (1) for eachdetection coil within the group determined to have the object(s) thereinor for all detection coils of the OD array. This ratio represents achange on the surface at a set location in Equation (1).Ratio_(t(n))=Polar Magnitude_(t(n))/Polar Magnitude_(t(n-1))  (1)

The controller 8 then runs a series of checks to detect the type ofobject(s) present based on the calculated ratios. At step 1056, a checkfor receiver(s) is performed by determining whether the largest ratioincrease within the group (or surface) is greater than a receiverdetection threshold, and if ‘yes’ the location of the largest ratioincrease is determined (step 1058) and the location of the receiver atthe determined detection coil is reported (step 1060) such that powertransfer can be commenced using the IPT array. If the result of step1056 is ‘no’ then at step 1062, a check for foreign object(s) isperformed by determining whether the largest ratio decrease within thegroup (or surface) is greater than a foreign object detection threshold,and if ‘yes’ the location of the largest ratio decrease is determined(step 1064) and the location of the foreign object at the determineddetection coil is reported (step 1066) such that power transfer usingthe IPT array is not enabled. If the result of step 1062 is ‘no’ then atstep 1068, it is determined that an unknown object is present such thatpower transfer using the IPT array is not enabled. This ‘unknown’ objectmay represent a combination of a receiver and foreign object by thesuitable selection of the receiver and foreign object thresholds. Suchselection may be made through the measurement and modelling of variousscenarios in a manner understood by those skilled in the art.

It is understood that the illustrated and described sequence of steps inFIGS. 10A and 10B are merely exemplary, and the sequences may be alteredor replaced with parallel steps as appropriate.

FIG. 11 shows an example of an excitation coil driver 1100. An MCU 1102provides a PWM 1103 at the desired OD field frequency e.g.: 5 kHz/1 MHz(or range of frequencies of 1 kHz to 10 kHz/800 kHz to 1.2 MHz), as wellas a 90° phase shifted signal 1105. Both signals are low pass filteredusing a filter 1104 to create a sine wave from the PWM square wave byremoving the harmonics and the filtered signals are provided to thedetector (described later). A power amplifier 1106 scales the signal tothe excitation coil 202 by a sufficient amount so that a good signal tonoise ratio is provided, while not using excessive power.

FIG. 12 shows another example circuit for the excitation coil drivercircuit 1200. Two identical signal chains are used—one chain 1202 drivesthe excitation coil 202 using an operational amplifier (opamp) 1204 witha high drive capability. The other chain 1206 drives the controller(detector). The MCU 1102 can change the phase of the drive signal to thedetector chain 1206, relative to the excitation chain 1202. In this waya 0° or 90° reference can be presented to the detector (describedlater).

Alternatively the actual excitation output is fed to a phase splitter(e.g.: R/C and C/R network) to generate two signals at 90° phase to eachother, then an electronic switch is used to select one or the other.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a detector 1300 which has the detection coilarray. Each detection coil 204 is connected to a multiplexer 1302. Themultiplexer 1302 is either programmed with the signal 1303 to cyclethrough all of the detection coils continuously or periodically or mayfocus on certain detection coils where an object has been detected. Themultiplexer output is amplified by amplifier 1304 and the excitationsignal (voltage) described above is phase switched using switch 1305 bysoftware in the MCU 1102 as described above. The amplified multiplexeroutput is mixed by a mixer 1306 (multiplied) with the two differentphase switched excitation voltages 1308 from the excitation driver.Alternatively the mixing could be done by a DSP or microprocessor. Theoutput of the mixer is low pass filtered by a filter 1310 and digitallysampled by an ADC 1312. The filter 1310 response determines the rate atwhich the detection coils can be switched, so the settling time shouldbe selected according to application requirements on resolution of theOD field sampling.

This configuration of mixing and/or multiplexing has the advantage oftracking the frequency of the excitation without requiring variablefilters. Further, the phase switching allows the MCU 1102 to extractamplitude and phase information from the digital signal. Because thevoltage from the excitation coil(s) is the same frequency as the voltagefrom the detection coil(s), multiplying the two signals results in onecomposite signal comprised of one shifted up to double the frequency andone at DC. The low pass filter 1310 filters out the higher frequencysignal. Then by phase shifting the excitation reference voltage by 90°and taking a second reading of the DC level, the phase can then becalculated at as the inverse tan of the division of the magnitudes ofthe two mixer DC outputs, for example using Equation (2):

$\begin{matrix}{\tan^{- 1}\frac{\lbrack {0\deg} \rbrack}{\lbrack {90\deg} \rbrack}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example circuit for the detector. The output ofevery detector coil 204 is connected to the inputs of one or moremultiplexers 1402,1404 connected in series, with the eventual output1406 amplified by an opamp 1408. The opamp 1408 output is passed to aGilbert cell mixer 1502. This is followed by an amplifier 1504 providingboth gain and DC offset to suit the input range of the ADC 1312.

The excitation/detection coils can be continuously driven so as toprovide a continuous OD field, as the power consumption is low (about 10mW). Alternatively, the OD field can be pulsed, which may lower thepower consumption even more.

As absolute measurements are taken from the detection field, since it isdecoupled from the IPT field, it is possible that if a foreign object isalready present on the transmitter ‘pad’ at start-up this foreign objectwill not be detected but will merely be part of the ambient environment.A calibration token which is either physical (e.g., a metal disc) ordigital (e.g., a calibration factor) of known properties may be used tocalibrate the transmitter prior to use to avoid this, by locating it inset locations and adjusting the algorithm output until the location andobject type are correctly determined.

Alternatively prior to use, relative phase and amplitude measurementsbetween the primary, excitation and detection coils can be compared torelative expected values to determine anything unusual in the start-upenvironment. This can either generate an alert to manually check theenvironment or can be used to adjust the algorithm.

In a further alternative a calibration factor could also be determinedby injecting a known signal into the system either through the existingcoils or through an extra coil(s) at a certain spacing. This may avoidthe need for manual calibration and/or a calibration object outside thesystem (e.g., a calibration token).

A further embodiment is described with respect to FIG. 16 and whichincludes some combinations of the forgoing features. Powering multiplereceivers from a single transmitter array increases the dynamic range ofthe problem of detecting Foreign Object power dissipation in thepresence of PRx (inductive power receiver) power transfer. This isbecause support for multiple PRx units increases the associated totalPTx (inductive power transmitter) power transfer level substantially.

Spatial measurements (localised to a space approximating one PRx)provide a way to constrain the dynamic range of the problem, asadditional Power Receivers are added to the Power Transmitter Product.

Evaluation of the complex impedances or a measurement of the couplingfactor at each detector coil or cell in an array of detection coils,distributed spatially across the Interface Area (a transmitter surfacefor placing receivers), can provide useful indication of:

-   -   Object Detection when (and where) an object placed on the        Interface Surface;    -   Whether the object is substantially metal in nature;    -   Whether the object contains ferrite;    -   Whether the object has a resonant circuit such as an L-C        parallel resonant tank.

The embodiment described here may be used independently or inconjunction with other methods of Foreign Object Detection.

Referring to FIG. 16, the object detection system comprises thefollowing system blocks:

-   -   a) An FOD Excitation Coil (1605) consisting of a conductor or        array of conductors (this may be separate and decoupled from the        Primary Coil) placed to cover the Interface Area or Surface such        that applied current(s) produce magnetic flux through the plane        of the Interface Area. The conductor(s) may be placed in a        ‘double counter wound loop’ configuration so that flux linkages        (to counter-wound sections of the same conductor), from the        Primary Coil, minimise the net induced voltage;    -   b) An FOD Detection Coil Array (1610) consisting of an array of        cells spatially distributed across the Interface Surface. Each        cell contains a conductor(s) configured such that any magnetic        flux generated by the FOD Excitation Coil that links with (i.e.        passes through) an object placed near or on the Interface        Surface, will also link with the conductor in at least one cell        of the FOD Detection Coil Array;    -   c) An Excitation Coil Driver (1615) circuit that applies a        continuous or pulsed excitation current to the FOD Excitation        Coil;    -   d) An Object Detection Unit (1620) that measures and evaluates        the complex impedances at each cell of the FOD Detection Coil        Array. Typically this would be comprised of a measurement        circuit that processes signals from each cell such that they can        be evaluated by a numerical computation unit.

Also shown are a foreign object (1625) and a valid inductive powerreceiver (1630). The ferrite shielding for each of the excitation coil(at 1635) and the receiver (at 1630) are also shown, and advantageouslyemployed to detect a valid receiver (1630).

The embodiment may evaluate each cell's output vector magnitude or polarmagnitude as a measure of complex impedance is as follows: 1. Applyexcitation current I_(FOD-excitation), by enabling the Excitation CoilDriver.

The magnitude and frequency of I_(FOD-excitation) (in conjunction withsystem implementation attributes) are arranged to produce sufficientlevels of flux in ϕ_(foreign), ϕ_(FOD-Detection-Coil-N) (at each cell),ϕ_(PRx-secondary-Coil) such that the Object Detection System canevaluate complex impedance (by determining a measure of compleximpedance) of the two different object groups (foreign object or validreceiver), with sufficient accuracy to distinguish between them. Thefrequency of I_(FOD-excitation) is typically a point close to, but notexactly equal to, the resonant detection frequency f_(d) formed byL_(s), C_(s), and C_(d) in a PRx (1630);

-   -   2. For each cell (1610) in the FOD Detection Coil Array, apply a        termination impedance and measure the amplitude and phase of the        voltage signal at each L_(FOD-Detection-Coil-N)—implemented by        the object detection circuit (1620)—a measure of complex        impedance.    -   3. Amplitude can be evaluated by measuring the components of the        cell output signal that are in-phase, and in quadrature with a        local reference (such as the Excitation Coil Driver output). The        vector or polar magnitude can be evaluated as the root of the        sum of the squares of the in-phase and quadrature components        that were measured. Similarly the vector phase angle can be        evaluated by computing the inverse or arc tangent of the ratio        of the in-phase component divided by the quadrature component.        However other methods of determining these measurements could        alternatively be used.

Detection of the presence and type of an object using a measure ofcomplex impedance at the detection coils can be performed as follows:

-   -   1. Record “empty board” tare values (E.g. at power-on of the        transmitter) by evaluating each cell's output vector magnitude        when there are no objects on the Interface Surface;    -   2. Periodically compute σ_(FOD-Detection-Coils) ² as the        statistical variance (ie standard deviation squared) of cell        output vector magnitudes (ie measures of complex impendences) in        the array (use net value after subtracting tare values for each        cell);    -   3. If σ_(FOD-Detection-Coils) ² is below a threshold        k_(array_change), then remain idle and return to step 2.        Threshold k_(array_change) may be established by prior        experiment with the final system implementation;

4. Evaluate the ratio N_(slope_cell_N) for each cell output vectormagnitude divided by the previous measurement for that cell;

5. If N_(slope_cell_N) is above a threshold k_(slope_PRXfound_min), thena valid PRx has been found. Threshold k_(slope_PRXfound_min) may beestablished by prior experiment with the final system implementation;

6. If N_(slope_cell_N) is below a threshold k_(slope_PRXfound_max), thena foreign object (or both a foreign object and a PRx together) has beenfound. Threshold k_(slope_PRXfound_max) may be established by priorexperiment with the final system implementation;

-   -   7. This survey can be repeated at alternate frequencies of        I_(FOD-excitation) for improved accuracy.

In alternative arrangements, the power coil of the transmitter may alsobe used as the excitation coil of the object detection system. Similarlythe excitation coil may not be decoupled from a separate power coil ofthe transmitter. Whilst an array of detection coils has been employed, asingle detection coil may alternatively be used. As a furtheralternative, the power coils may be employed as the detection coils.Furthermore different measures of complex impedance may be used. Alsodifferent types (in addition to receiver and foreign object) may bedetected using the measures of complex impedance.

Whilst the embodiment has been described as detecting a receiver type ofobject in response to determining an increase in polar magnitude above areceiver detection threshold (ieN_(slope_cell_N)>k_(slope_PRXfound_min)), a more generic relationship tothe polar magnitude could be used such as a change within apredetermined range. Similarly, whilst detection of a foreign objecttype of object has been described as being in response to a decrease inpolar magnitude above a foreign object detection threshold (ieN_(slope_cell_N)<k_(slope_PRXfound_max)), a more generic relationship tothe polar magnitude could be used such as a change within a secondpredetermined range.

The measure of complex impedance may be determined from in-phase andquadrature voltage components of the detection coil(s). This may bedetermined by a combination of analogue circuit components and digitalprocessing—ie the polar magnitude.

The object detection algorithm may only be executed if a “significant”change in measurements is detected in order to improve accuracy inaccounting for differences and/or changes in parameters of the coils inpractice. This may be configured to occur when a calculated statisticvariance of the change from a predetermined measure of complex impedance(eg the “empty board” values) in the detection coils (or a sub-group ofthese) is above a statistic variance detection threshold (ieσFOD-Detection-Coils²>k_(array_change)).

Improved Detection of Foreign Objects

While a receiver object may exhibit the expected change in compleximpedance within the frequency range expected of IPT receiver objects,there may be other resonant devices that may cause a change in compleximpedance at a frequency close to their natural resonant frequency. Anexample is an RFID tag. In case where a receiver device is presenttogether with an RFID tag, if the main IPT field is enabled, it willburn out the RFID tag. This may be undesirable. Objects such as thosemay be indistinguishable from either the no-object-condition orpotential receiver-found-conditions.

A foreign object (such as an RFID tag) may affect a change in thecoupling between excitation and detection coil that is also similar tothat produced by a Qi receiver (or no object at all). One or more of thepreviously described methods of object detection may interpret this as asimilar change to the apparent magnitude and/or phase of the detectionsignal compared to a receiver object, depending on the configuration(e.g. choice of excitation frequency) and level of sensitivity selected.

One or more of the previously described methods of object detection mayperform a Digital Ping to further establish if and what type of objecthas been. However, it is a concern that such execution of a DigitalPing, (e.g. MiFare proximity transport access card) may causeirreversible damage to certain foreign objects including electronicsystems e.g. bus or train proximity ticket cards or NFC credit cards.Additionally, in situations where such a sensitive foreign object(containing an electronic system e.g. RFID) is simultaneously placedwith a wirelessly chargeable mobile phone, the object detection systemmay not successfully detect this foreign object due to the presence ofthe approved wirelessly chargeable mobile phone. Given that such cardsare often provided in proximity to (or co-located with e.g. in aprotective sleeve or wallet) a wirelessly chargeable mobile phone, thismay be sub optimal.

The inventor has determined it may be useful to prevent the system fromattempting power transfer even momentarily (e.g. RFID tags that mayotherwise be detected as a potential receiver, or not-an-object whilstthere is also a valid power receiver nearby), by detecting frequencydependent (e.g. resonant) properties of objects within the chargingzone.

For example RFID tags are known to resonate at a specific frequency ofoperation, and would exhibit a significant change in coupling of theexcitation to detector coil if the system conducts a scan at thisspecific frequency.

In order to detect other resonant devices, one technique is to determinethe response at expected frequencies for various non approved devices.In this context non approved device means anything other than IPTreceiver devices that are approved for use with the transmitter.Approved devices may include Qi ver 1.1 or above compliant IPTreceivers. Non approved devices may include other resonant or nonresonant devices. For example RFID tags are known to resonate at forexample:

120-150 kHz (LF)

13.56 MHz (HF) ISM band

433 MHz (UHF)

865-868 MHz (Europe)

860-960 MHz

902-928 MHz (North America) UHF ISM band

2.4 GHz (microwave) ISM band

5725-5875 MHz (microwave) ISM band

24.125, 61.25, 122.5, 245 GHz ISM bands

If an impedance above or below a threshold is determined at or adjacentto any of these RFID frequencies, the system would determine theexistence of a non-approved resonant device and disable IPT. Other nonapproved devices may be included depending on the application. Forexample in FIG. 17 the system would check for impedance above or below athreshold 1702 at around 13.56 MHz. Where the non approved devicefrequency is close to an approved IPT device resonant frequency, it mayrequire a very narrowly tuned excitation and detection system.

Alternatively the system could frequency hop or scan a range offrequencies looking for any anomalous response, other than at expectedfrequencies for approved receiver devices. For example approved IPTdevices might be expected to resonate within the following frequencies(which may be selected according to the requirements of theapplication):

70-150 kHz eg: 100 kHz or 120 kHz

900 kHz-1.1 MHz eg:1 MHz (in accordance with the QI 1.1 specificationfor example)

If an impedance below or above a threshold is determined at anyfrequency apart from those frequencies, the system would determine theexistence of a non-approved resonant device and disable IPT. For examplein FIG. 17 the system would check for impedance below or above athreshold 1704 1706 at frequencies other than 120 kHz and 1 MHz.

This may be implemented by measuring the (spectral) frequency-impedanceresponse of the OD system 200, and checking that this spectral responsefalls within known desirable ranges whereby a problematic foreign object(e.g. RFID tag) must not be present. An example is that there would be alarge acceptable area for (relatively) broad peaks in the range 70-150kHz to allow receivers to be present, but if a narrow spike was found at120-140 kHz then it may be deemed that a LF RFID tag is present. Thewidth of the resonant response may be used to determine if the object isapproved or not. This is equivalent to the “Q” or bandwidth of theresponse.

These anticipated or predetermined reflected impedance responses fromRFID tags and other non-authorised devices can be consideredpredetermined reflected impendence signatures associated withnon-authorised devices. These signatures can be associated with specificfrequencies and transmitted power levels and stored by the objectdetection system in order to detect the presence of a non-authoriseddevice. The object detection system may additionally or alternativelystored predetermined reflected impedance signatures associated withauthorised devices so that a non-authorised device can be detected whena reflected impendence signature is determined which is not associatedwith an authorised device. Various reflected impedance signatureexamples are described in more detail below.

In a further alternative the system may detect the two step change inimpedance associated with an RFID chip once it starts up. This can helpto distinguish a non approved device having a resonant frequency closeto that of an approved IPT device. As shown in FIG. 17 an RFID chipwould initially present a high Q resonance 1708 at around 13.56 MHz,when initially scanned at a first power level. At different fieldstrength levels or durations of excitation, the RFID chip may startup/not start up, drawing significantly different amounts of power (i.e.impedance presented) in these cases. The RFID tag will then switch onand present a lower Q resonance 1710. This characteristic two stepimpedance change or “compression effect” could be detected and disableIPT. This change might also be explained as a reduction inproportionality of observed output responses changing with (increasing)input stimulus. This could be implemented with series impedances in theinput stimulus to form a potential divider network, whose gain varieswith this change in impedance as the filter capacitance charges up. Thisgain can then be employed to produce a proportional amplitude voltagesignal that can be compared with thresholds to evaluate whether such anon-authorised device is present.

For a given power level and a predetermined RFID tag, it is possible toanticipate the duration of time before the chip starts up. In otherwords a “signature” comprised of a first impedance then after apredetermined time a second impedance at the resonant frequency of theRFID tag can be used to more confidently detect the RFID tag. Thismethod can also be useful two distinguish between an RFID tag and anauthorised receiver (such as a QI receiver) having resonant frequenciessimilar to each other.

The use of the two-step impedance change method can be used togetherwith the method of determining impedance changes at expected resonantfrequencies. Alternatively the two-step impedance change method can beused without recourse to resonant frequencies of RFID tags or authorisedreceivers, as discussed in an embodiment below.

In a further alternative the system may detect the two step change inimpedance associated with the biasing of rectifier diodes or othersemiconductor devices once the characteristic semiconductor junctionthreshold voltage (e.g. 0.7 V per silicon diode) is exceeded by theapplication of an excitation field, which may or may not be at theresonant frequency of the foreign object such as an RFID chip.

For example the system may look at non-linear or step-wise changes inmagnitude or time response at predetermined frequencies, e.g. todistinguish between a 900 MHz RFID tag and the 1 MHz±10% dual resonantcircuit of a Qi receiver. The RFID tag may exhibit a response thatchanges markedly depending on the level of excitation—it may be a narrowresponse (high Q) at low excitation levels, then exhibit a stepwisechange in response when the excitation level is increased to stimulatethe RFID active circuit to start drawing more power (broad bandwidth,low Q due to parallel resonant tank with low equivalent impedance inshunt with it).

Additionally an RFID active circuit may appear to be a light load (highimpedance) initially (t=0 ms), but become a high load (low impedance)upon having had sufficient time (e.g. t=10 ms) to charge up its internalstorage capacitances, build up resonance in the resonant receivercircuit, or to bias semiconductor junctions in a connected circuit (e.g.RFID chip).

The change in impedance may be detected by measuring an impedancemagnitude at a RFID frequency to an impedance magnitude at a frequencyclosely spaced from the RFID frequency. For an RFID tag this shouldinitially have a significant difference when it is a higher Q resonance1708. If it is measured subsequently that the difference 1710 reducesbetween the impedance magnitude at the RFID frequency and the impedancemagnitude at the closely spaced frequency, this can be used to confirmthe presence of an NFC PICC card/tag object.

The signature associated with RFID tags may also be detected using areal power signature. For example as shown in FIG. 18A the powerinitially 1802 may be relatively high while the capacitor is charging.Once charged the power diminished significantly 1804 as the runningpower for the state machine is minimal. On the other hand in FIG. 18B aQi receiver has an initial level of power 1806 which only increases 1808after the handshake. The microprocessor in a Qi receiver uses a lot morepower that the state machine in a RFID tag.

FIG. 19(a) shows a flow diagram relating to the RFID signature method1900. The transmitter detects 1902 a first impedance or power levelrelated to an object in the IPT field. The transmitter detects 1904 asecond impedance or power level related to an object in the IPT field.The transmitter then matches 1906 the first and second measurements to alibrary of known signatures for non-authorized objects (eg: RFID/NFCdevices) and/or authorized IPT receivers. If a non-authorized object isdetected IPT is disabled 1908.

The reflected impedance signature may be associated with communicationsactivity from the non-authorised device. For example some RFID tags usebackscatter communication, some generate a transmission (active tags,typically the LF 120 kHz or 433, 848 MHz ones). The OD system 200 could“read” the backscatter communications being generated by the RFID chipwhen it becomes active. It need not employ an RFID chip to trigger thisresponse, it could send a suitable signal that will wake up a RFID tag,and monitor for the known sub carrier modulation that constitutes avalid handshake reply by an RFID tag. The initial signal could be at amuch lower frequency that the standard carrier frequency for a RFIDreader (eg:13.56 MHz as defined in ISO/IEC 14443-2), such as the 1 MHzdigital ping frequency of Qi. The OD system 200 may conduct a pollingprocess where it transmits a command sequence that the RFID object isdesigned to wait for (e.g. sequential sending of “REQA”, “WUPA” “REQB”,“WUPB” as specified by ISO/IEC 14443-3) but not necessarily at thefrequency specified by the RFID scheme (e.g. NFC), so that theaforementioned modulation clock or subcarrier is generated by the RFIDchip. The OD system 200 may be configured to detect a predeterminedcommunications sequence from the RFID tag, for example the first or atruncated part of the normal handshaking messages that would occurbetween an RFID tag and an RFID reader. It is not necessary to implementany of the full message decoding capability of an RFID reader, justdetection of the sub carrier modulation response. For example the ODsystem 200 may look for a detectable sub carrier amplitude modulation(e.g. f_(c)/128 f_(c)/64 f_(c)/32 f_(c)/16 where f_(c) is 13.56 MHzindependent of what frequency the polling request is sent at using TypeA (On-Off Keying OOK, Miller coded), Type B (10% ASK Manchester coded),Type F (10% ASK Manchester coded per JIS X 6319-4) or Type V (BPSKNRZ-L), specified by ISO/IEC 14443-2 for Types A, B, JIS X 6319-4 forType F, ISO/IEC 15693 for Type V) specified in various RFID systems.

If the polling commands sent by the transmitter are sent at a lowerfrequency, then the commands may require certain adaptions for astandard NFC or RFID tag to recognise them. The polling commands cyclethrough respective commands for each type of receiver. When the receiverdetects a command relating to its type it responds.

Certain types of RFID tags detect the polling command modulation patternwithout use of a local (i.e. on-board the card/tag PICC object)precision time-base (i.e. time reference such as a quartz crystal orsilicon MEMS oscillator) by disciplining or synchronising a less preciselocal oscillator (e.g. R-C oscillator on-chip in the card/tag) to theincoming carrier frequency. Such a disciplined local oscillator can thenbe used to detect the two modulation states by measuring the duration oftime where the carrier is present or found to be in its highestamplitude as a first state (e.g. unmodulated level of 0% ASK), incomparison to the duration of time where the carrier is not present orfound to be in its lowest amplitude as a second state (e.g. modulatedlevel of −10% ASK or −100% ASK i.e. Off) in order to detect a validpolling command. Therefore if the carrier frequency being used is lowerthan the standard value, it may be necessary to increase the period ofeach modulated bit in the polling command, so that the number of cyclesor duration of each bit using a lower than standard carrier frequencymatches an identical number of cycles of the carrier as defined at thestandard carrier frequency. This is used because cycle counting (orequivalently extracting a clock signal from the carrier to use as a timereference) is a simple mechanism not requiring an auxiliary orindependent precision time reference on the PICC card/tag in order todetect expected signals and respond to them. By extracting a clocksignal from the carrier however, the PICC card/tag does rely entirely onthe implementation of the carrier having set its frequency to thestandard value of 13.56 MHz and will not be aware of any deviation fromthat. Therefore the above approach will still work to stimulate the RFIDobject to respond with an acknowledgement (ATQ-A/ATQ-B, ATQ-C etc).

For example if the polling command includes a series of bits as shown intable 1:

No. Bits 3 3 5 2 1 7 1 State on off on off on off on

Then the modulation period to get the same number of cycles/bits will be10 times that for 13 MHz as shown in table 2:

State on off on off on off on Period 30T 30T 50T 20T 10T 70T 10T  13 MHz 21 us  21 us  35 us  14 us  7 us  49 us  7 us 1.3 MHz 210 us 210 us 350us 140 us 70 us 490 us 70 us

FIG. 19(b) shows the polling command 1910 @13.56 MHz compared to thepolling command 1912 @1.3 MHz. This ensures that the same number ofcycles are present to trigger the RFID object response.

The RFID polling request to stimulate a response from a PICC (NFCcard/tag) can be generated by the IPT transmitting coil as 7 asdescribed earlier. The advantage to this is that a separate RFID/NFCreader antenna and circuit is not required. Typically most IPTtransmitters will include an ASK backscatter communication module tocommunicate with the receiver. This typically includes a currenttransformer and a bandpass filter at 2 kHz (which is the frequency thereceiver modulates the IPT field at) or an equivalent voltage modedetection may be used. In this case the transmitter 2 includes acommunication module 2000 as shown in FIG. 20. A modulator 2002introduces the polling commands 2004 into the coil 7 voltage. Thepolling commands are received by any NFC or RFID tags in range, and onceenergised the tag amplitude modulates the IPT signal at a subcarrierfrequency. This is detected with the current transformer (or via avoltage measurement), which has one or more bandpass filters. A filter2008 is centred about the expected PICC (card/tag) sub-carrier frequencythat is used to modulate its acknowledgement response onto (i.e. 212,424 or 848 kHz) for the response from the RFID/NFC tag 2010 (or a rangeof bandpass filters about expected RFID/NFC response frequencies). Ifthe valid response is received IPT is disabled. The bandpass filtersmight have a suitable bandwidth to encompass the typical RFID/NFCresponses, for example 106-318, 424-480, 847-848 kHz.

If the carrier frequency is lower than 13.56 Mhz, the acknowledgement(ATQ-A/ATQ-B, ATQ-C etc) modulation may also be proportionately lower infrequency. If so, then then bandpass filters might have a suitablebandwidth for the expected lower frequency RFID/NFC response. Forexample if 8 carrier cycles are implied by the sub-carrier modulationspecification of 848 kHz for a 13.56 MHz carrier, then equivalently byusing a 1.356 MHz carrier, the stimulated card/tag PICC response will bea sub-carrier of 84.8 kHz. A modulation detection filter shouldaccordingly be centred or include this expected range of frequency (84.8kHz in the example).

To reduce the bandwidth required of a logic portion of such ademodulator implementation, a simple magnitude detector including aparallel (high impedance at notch frequency) or series (low impedance atnotch frequency) resonant tank together with a rectifier and capacitorfilter to convert the signal to d.c. could be employed to allow a lowcost microcontroller to use a comparatively low bandwidth ADC to detectthe magnitude and thus presence of a subcarrier.

Once a subcarrier has been detected, a power transmitter would return toan idle or sleep state. Subsequent detection of objects or change inposition of the objects, would result in a new search for presence of anNFC object by repeating the above search for a subcarrier.

FIG. 21 shows a flow diagram relating to the RFID sub carrier modulationtechnique 2100. The transmitter sends 2102 polling commands using theIPT coil or the OD coil (as opposed to a separate RFID/NFC readermodule). The coil is tuned to a first frequency and modulated at asecond higher frequency in order to emulate a predetermined NFC/RFIDobject polling command. Any RFID/NFC tags in range receive 2104 thecommand and send a response. The transmitter detects 2106 for any validRFID/NFC response at a third frequency corresponding to thepredetermined response of an NFC/RFID object. If a valid response isreceived at the third frequency this Indicate the presence of anNFC/RFID object and IPT is disabled 2108.

Alternatively the polling commands 2200 may be sent at the expectedF_(c) frequency eg: 13.56 MHz by the inverter 2201 as shown in FIG. 22.In this case the IPT coil 7 or the OD coil 202 will be tuned 2202 at asignificantly lower frequency. The RFID/NFC tag 2202 replies at 848 kHzwhich is detected with the current transformer 2206, which has one ormore bandpass filters. A first filter 2210 is centred about 848 kHz forthe response from the RFID/NFC tag 2204.

In some cases the transmitter transmission circuit will not be tuned to100 kHz by a tuning capacitor, but will be adapted or optimised to thisfrequency by the selection of coil inductance and inverter drivevoltage. For example a power transfer circuit may have a 10 micro-Henryinductance using say 10 windings for the coil. At 100 kHz this resultsin a reactance of approximately 6 ohm, whereas driving 13 MHz throughthis coil would result in reactance of approximately 800 ohms requiringa much higher voltage to drive a current of a similar magnitude.Accordingly an NFC reader coil will have a much lower inductance withless turns, larger size, in order to enable the inverter to drive at thehigher frequency with reasonable operating parameters (eg 5V). Drivingan IPT circuit, optimised for say 110 kHz, at a much higher frequency inorder to stimulate a response from any proximate non-authorised devices,may require that the inverter is driven at a higher voltage, eg: 20V inorder to have enough current for an RFID card to detect the resultingfield.

In the event an authorised receiver is detected, inverter 2201 send thenormal IPT signal to coil 7. The inverter 2201 will also modulate theIPT voltage at 1 Mhz to communicate with the receiver 3. A second filter2208 is centred about 2 kHz for the standard ASK backscattercommunication response from the IPT receiver 3.

The power transmitting coil may be approximate 12 uH inductance andtuned for approximately 100 kHz. Most RFID implementations use 1-4 uH orless in order to be tuned at 13.56 MHz. Thus the polling request is sentfrom a multi purpose coil. That is to say a coil that has a firstpurpose of either IPT power transfer eg: coil or object detection eg:coil 202. The second purpose is sending polling request to any nonauthorized objects such as nearby NFC/RFID tags. By way of contrastincorporating a separate NFC/RFID tag reader module would include areader coil that only had a single purpose.

Alternatively other communications protocols for other non authorisedobjects may be included and/or signatures for further types on nonauthorised objects.

For example the NFC-F (Sony Felica cards, used for rail transport inJapan) protocol does not appear to generate a subcarrier, but it doesmodulate the PCD's carrier directly at a net symbol rate of 212kbit/sec. The corresponding detector for this type of card would beapprox. 212 kHz—however the message content would spread the frequencycontent (i.e. sidebands) significantly around this 212 kHz ‘median’symbol rate. Literature suggests that the power spectral density (psd)of Manchester coding is from 0-150% of the bit rate, so perhaps specifya detection bandwidth of up to 212×1.5=318 kHz. The majority of thesignal power will lie between 50% and 100% of the bit rate, so perhaps212×0.5=106 kHz up to 212 kHz.

The OD system 200 may implement detection of reflected impedancesignatures associated with non-authorised devices and/or authoriseddevices using lower power levels than those normally employed tointeract with authorised devices so as to avoid destruction of any RFIDtags which may be present. Detection of such devices by the OD systemwill then disable power transfer by the inductive power transmitter. Aninitial foreign object detection phase implemented using the aboveembodiments can be carried out prior to and at a lower power level thanthe digital ping phase used to detect authorised devices. For examplethe polling commands may be sent at 50% or 20% of the power of thedigital ping.

To prevent a “false positive” result in the case that a productcontaining an authorized Qi receiver also contains an NFC function incard/tag (PICC) emulation mode, the receiver can first disable its NFCPICC emulation function when it detects a Qi Ping e.g. 1 MHz signal orother impulse stimulus (e.g. 175 kHz burst) known or declared to be usedby a transmitter for detection of a potential receiver to charge.Whenever a receiver also has an NFC emulation function, it shouldtemporarily (e.g. 5 sec) disable that function when an impulse isdetected in the rectified voltage (Vr) of the power transfer circuit, inorder that it not produce a false positive when such a transmitterexecutes a search for RFID objects.

To more reliably eliminate such a false positive during an RFID ping ordetection search, a Qi transmitter should emit an agreed upon signalthat announces to an authorized Qi receiver that it is about to beprobed by a Qi transmitter—such as a tone burst at 1 MHz, 175 kHz, or110 kHz.

This method of detection of other resonant devices may be combined withany of the previously mentioned approaches for object detection.

The method employed by the transmitter is shown in FIG. 23. Thetransmitter uses an Analog Ping 2302 to monitor for newly placed objectssuch as valid receivers, foreign objects including RFID. Various methodsare employed for Analog Ping and this is not defined by the Qispecification. For example this may be implemented by a short impulse tothe IPT transmitter coil and look for any reflected impedance.Alternatively separate object detection coils may be used.

The analogue ping 2302 may be supplemented with a RFID Ping which is apredetermined signal which can be used to signal the receiver to behavedifferently. This may be more robust than relying on the receiver todetect the Analog Ping. The RFID Ping could be a separate step to theAnalog Ping, or the RFID Ping would replace the Analog Ping and be usedfor detecting any object as well as signalling to the receiver.

The RFID Ping could be implemented by a short low power tone burst inthe standard power transfer frequency range—preferably at the higher endas this detunes the power gain into any Qi receiver and gives moreconsistent induced excitation levels. Thus a signal of 175 kHz could beused, which is the same as that used for Digital Ping, however a betterfrequency might be around 145 kHz due to European spectrum regulations.The RFID Ping is distinguished from a Digital Ping as being energylimited to field levels equivalent to 12 ampere-turns for example, andof a duration less than the minimum allowable unsuccessful Qi ping phasetime of t_(ping)+t_(expire)=65+90=155 ms used when receiving a DigitalPing. This ensures that the RFID Ping won't cause the Qi receiver toproceed out of Ping phase and cause power transfer to start.

The transmitter may then perform a specific RFID detection method 2304and/or other more general FOD methods. Knowing now that any NFC card/tagemulation function has been disabled in a Qi receivers, the RFID searchwill now not yield a “false positive” result since the embedded NFCemulation function will not respond the NFC REQA signal etc. Otherwisesuch a response if returned by an NFC emulation function would preventthe Qi receiver device from ever being charged by a Qi transmitter withsuch RFID protection.

Assuming no FO/RFID is found, the transmitter then continues to the Qistartup protocol which starts with a Digital Ping 2306, which is acontinuous tone at typically 175 kHz and which will typically be at ahigher power than the RFID Ping enabling powering up of receivers thatdo not have on-board batteries. Communication form the receiver totransmitter is then established in the normal way using load modulationof the tone.

The method 2400 employed by the receiver is shown in FIG. 24. If thereceiver is a Smartphone or similar which has NFC emulationfunctionality (eg to emulate a loyalty card etc), and this function isON it may confuse certain RFID detection methods and prevent powertransfer to the phone. All other objects placed on the transmitter willbe unaffected by this protocol.

The receiver monitors the coil for a RFID Ping 2402 (which as notedabove could be the Analog Ping). The RFID Ping is essentially signallingthe receiver to switch OFF its NFC emulation function. If thetransmitter is not using RFID Ping and instead uses an existing AnalogPing such as impulse, it may still be possible for the receiver todetect this and declare that the transmitter is signalling to switch OFFits emulation function.

The receiver then switches off 2404 its NFC emulation function for apredetermined time (if it is ON). The predetermined time is sufficientto allow the transmitter to run the RFID detection method. 0.5 sec isthe minimum required start-up time for a Qi transmitter to start powertransfer with a receiver when placed, so would be a suitable period. Ifit hasn't started up within 0.5 sec, it most likely will not power it upat all (e.g. FOD inhibiting).

At the end of the time period, the Rx then follows the specified Qistartup protocol in response to receiving a Digital Ping from the Tx2406.

Whilst embodiments have been described in which the object detectionsystem uses excitation and receiver coils separate from the transmitterpower coil, in alternative arrangements the object detection system mayuse one or more transmitter power coils, or a combination of powertransmitter coils, excitation and receiver coils.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details, representative apparatus andmethod, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departure from thespirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wireless power transmitter comprising: awireless power transfer coil; detection circuitry configured to detectthe proximity of a wireless power receiver and the proximity of an RFIDdevice; transmission circuitry coupled to the wireless power transfercoil and configured to generate a wireless power transfer field usingthe wireless power transfer coil; and control circuitry configured to:upon detection of the wireless power receiver proximate the wirelesspower transfer coil and absence of the RFID device proximate thewireless power transfer coil, control the transmission circuitry togenerate the wireless power transfer field using the wireless powertransfer coil; and upon detection of the RFID device proximate thewireless power transfer coil, control the transmission circuitry to stopgenerating the wireless power transfer field using the wireless powertransfer coil; wherein an objection detection field is frequency ormagnetically decoupled from the wireless power transfer field.
 2. Thewireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the transmissioncircuitry is configured to generate the object detection field.
 3. Thewireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the detection circuitryis configured to generate the object detection field.
 4. The wirelesspower transmitter of claim 1, further comprising an object detectioncoil, wherein the detection circuitry is coupled to the object detectioncoil.
 5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 4, comprising aplurality of object detection coils, wherein the plurality of objectdetection coils includes: a detection coil; and an excitation coil;wherein the excitation coil is selected from the group consisting of: awireless power transfer coil; and a separate excitation coil.
 6. Thewireless power transmitter of claim 5, wherein the control circuitry isfurther configured to: to drive, using the transmission circuitry ordetection circuitry, the excitation coil over a range of frequencies;determine, using the detection circuitry, an inductance of the detectioncoil at one or more of the range of frequencies; and in accordance witha determination that the inductance is above or below a threshold,determine that an RFID device is proximate one of the plurality ofobject detection coils.
 7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 6,wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: drive, using thetransmission circuitry or detection circuitry, the excitation coil overthe range of frequencies at a first power level; determine, using thedetection circuitry, the inductance of the detection coil at one or moreof the range of frequencies at the first power level; drive, using thetransmission circuitry or detection circuitry, the excitation coil overthe range of frequencies at a second power level, higher than the firstpower level; and determine, using the detection circuitry, theinductance of the detection coil at one or more of the range offrequencies at the second power level.
 8. The wireless power transmitterof claim 7, wherein the first power level is insufficient to initiatepower startup in an RFID device and the second power level is sufficientto initiate power startup in an RFID device.
 9. The wireless powertransmitter of claim 8, wherein the range of frequencies excludesfrequencies associated with authorized resonant devices.
 10. A method ofcontrolling a wireless power transmitter responsive to a detected radiofrequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC)signature, the method comprising: detecting at least one of a firstimpedance or a first power level related to an object in an inductivepower transfer field of the wireless power transmitter; detecting atleast one of a second impedance or a second power level related to theobject; comparing the detected impedances or power levels to a libraryof known signatures of unauthorized RFID/NFC devices; and disablingwireless power transfer if an unauthorized RFID/NFC device is detected;wherein an objection detection field is frequency or magneticallydecoupled from the wireless power transfer field.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein detecting at least one of a first impedance or a firstpower level and detecting at least one of a second impedance or a secondpower level comprise detecting a change in impedance associated withstartup of an RFID chip.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein detecting atleast one of a first impedance or a first power level and detecting atleast one of a second impedance or a second power level comprisedetecting a change in power consumption associated with startup of anRFID chip.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein detecting at least one ofa first impedance or a first power level and detecting at least one of asecond impedance or a second power level further comprise detectingimpedance change at an expected resonant frequency of an RFID device.14. The method of claim 10 wherein the expected resonant frequency is13.56 MHz.